RUE, Fred Conover

From Fred Rue. 

MANILA, FEB. 3d, 1899. 

DEAR Sister: -I thought I would write you a few lines as I do not feel like working every day, and have secured permission of the Corporal to lay off this afternoon. I suppose you all have queer thoughts about one's duty and surroundings, which I can assure you are a long way from pleasant. Imagine being among a people who don't understand a word you speak unless you talk Spanish or Filipiuo, and there are lots of Filipinos who do not understand a word of Spanish. There are very few of them that speak American, and they are a long way from good at it. I have been on special duty for the past two weeks, and will be for about three weeks muore. We are working on what is known as the Suneta parade grouud, that is Government property between the walled city (Old Manila) and Ermita. Manila is divided into eight districts- -Walled City, Ermita, Malate, Binondo, Santa Cruz, San Carlos, Paco, and San Maguil. The district of Binondo is known as New Manila, and is the principal part of Manila. It has an estimated population of 150,000 people and all the business is transacted there and in the Walled City. 

Walled City has about 70,000 people and is surrounded by a wall 30 feet high. The average thickness of the outer wall is 16 feet and immediately after that are rooms that circumference the city and are about 30 feet in width, and well walled next to the city, on the inside, with a covering of about five feet of stone. The walls of the city have been standing for the last 300 years and are black with age. On top of these walls are hundreds of various kinds of guns, from a 10-inch disappearing gun to a 1-inch rapid-fire gun and a great many Gatlings, and the Nordenfeldt, which are the same size as a Springfield rifle cartridge used by all American volunteers at present. I am feeling very well at present, and have not been in bed a day since I have been in the service. 

I would like to be back in the civilized world once more, but do not know when that will be. 

The place where I am working is in a rough condition, and it has to be leveled and put in good shape. There is a parade ground of about 300 acres, and I am in charge of 55 Filipinos and 12 Chinamen. The Chinaman and 5 Filipinos drive Cariboo carts for hauling the dirt. Am on duty under Col. Potter, of Engineers. 

The Cariboos that the natives drive are exactly like the ones seen in the circuses, called China wild buffalos. 

We have to pay five cents for one-half ounce of letters that we send out of here. I do not know how it is with the folks at the other end of the line. 

All the Hollister boys are well except Frank Spitsz, who has the smallpox. He is yery low. 

Five of our boys were captured by the insurgents four days ago. They have just returned. No harm done. 

Remember me to all inquiring friends. From your affectionate brother, FRED C. RUE.